Seriously, sir? You can even pursue a professor?

"……three!"

When the count ended, the cheers and applause from the surrounding area grew even louder.

Tang Zheng released his grip, and Ruan Hongzhuang's expression remained calm. She sat back on the low stool, her gaze returning to the leaping campfire, the fiery light making her face appear somewhat red.

The game went on for several more rounds, filled with laughter and merriment, and before we knew it, it was nine o'clock.

Fireworks burst into bloom.

"Whoosh—smack!"

The first streak of light pierced the night sky, exploding suddenly at a great height, illuminating half the sky and the upturned faces of everyone.

The exclamations and praises had not yet subsided.

Immediately afterwards, more fireworks of various colors rose into the sky one after another.

Silvery-white willow catkins fall from the sky, crimson peonies bloom in full glory, azure stars cascade like a waterfall, and emerald butterflies dance gracefully...

The night sky became the most magnificent canvas, freely painted with ever-changing, dazzling light and shadow.

Tang Rui looked up at it, muttering, "So beautiful! So beautiful!"

Tang Zheng shifted his gaze from the sky to the profile of the person beside him.

Fireworks flickered, casting flowing light on her fair skin. Her eyes reflected the dazzling colors of the sky, her clear eyes seeming to hold the entire Milky Way.

Another enormous purple firework burst open overhead, almost covering the entire field of vision, and a rain of purple light slowly descended.

In this purple halo, Tang Zheng saw that the corners of her lips seemed to twitch slightly upwards, a fleeting curve.

This person is more beautiful than fireworks.

As night deepened, the bonfire party ended close to ten o'clock.

Tang Rui, tired from playing, yawned and went back to her room. "Don't wake me up tomorrow morning, I want to sleep until I naturally wake up."

Tang Zheng watched his older sister disappear through the door, then turned to look at Ruan Hongzhuang, who was about to enter the room.

"Is Aunt Ruan going for a run tomorrow morning?"

"Mm," Ruan Hongzhuang replied.

"There aren't many good places for a morning run around here, how about we go hiking?" he suggested.

Ruan Hongzhuang didn't respond and went straight into the room.

Tang Zheng hummed a little tune as he went back into the house.

The next morning, the sky outside the window was still a deep indigo blue. Tang Zheng was woken up by the alarm clock on time and changed into sportswear.

After a quick wash, he changed into a pair of comfortable sneakers, grabbed his backpack, and left the room.

He had made preparations for the mountain climb before he came, and he brought a fairly complete set of things.

Less than five minutes later, the door to the room was gently pushed open, and Ruan Hongzhuang came out.

She wore a light gray tracksuit, her hair tied in a ponytail, looking neat and tidy.

She went to the courtyard and stretched her body.

"Let's go, Aunt Ruan," Tang Zheng said as he approached her.

Ruan Hongzhuang continued moving her body, glanced at him, and asked, "What?"

"Let's go hiking."

She stretched her arms. "Why climb a mountain?"

"Didn't you say you wanted to go hiking with me yesterday?"

Did I say that?

Tang Zheng paused for a moment, then said, "But you didn't say you weren't going."

She turned over and stretched her legs. "I didn't say I was going."

Tang Zheng: "..."

"I'm warning you, don't force me to beg," Tang Zheng said firmly.

"It's no use begging," she said, stepping to the courtyard gate, pushing it open, and walking out to start jogging.

Footsteps sounded behind me.

She turned her head. "Why are you following me?"

"Who's following you? Can't I run too?" he said, doing two chest expansion exercises. "To build up my body and become stronger."

Ruan Hongzhuang ignored him and continued running slowly forward. Soon she left the manor and arrived at the stone steps halfway up the mountain.

She stopped, glanced at the mountaintop, and stepped onto the first step.

"Don't you not climb mountains, Aunt Ruan?" Tang Zheng followed her up the steps and asked.

Ruan Hongzhuang glanced at him. "I want to climb again, is that not allowed?"

"Alright, alright, your legs are yours to do, do whatever you want." Tang Zheng glanced at her long legs and said.

Ruan Hongzhuang ignored him and slowly walked up the slightly damp stone steps.

The morning mist had not yet dissipated, still damp and clinging to the bamboo grove and stone steps. The air was filled with the fresh scent of grass, trees, and soil soaked in dew. Taking a breath, a cool sensation went straight to the lungs.

Tang Zheng was half a step behind her, his gaze falling on her high ponytail that swayed gently as she climbed the steps.

Occasionally, a gust of wind would rustle through the bamboo grove, and a few unruly strands of hair would drift down and fall onto her fair neck.

If he were to be accidentally pulled, Aunt Ruan probably wouldn't kill him, right?

The mountain path wasn't steep, but it was long enough. The stone steps wound upwards along the mountainside, with groves of lush bamboo on both sides. The intertwined branches and leaves blocked out the sky, leaving only a sparse patch of indigo light.

Compared to running, mountain climbing is more physically demanding. Ruan Hongzhuang's breathing gradually became slightly uneven, and a thin layer of fine sweat slowly seeped out from her forehead, sliding down her smooth forehead and disappearing into the stray hairs at her temples.

"Have some water, Aunt Ruan." Tang Zheng took off his backpack, took out a bottle of purified water, unscrewed the cap, and handed it to her.

Ruan Hongzhuang stopped, slightly out of breath, and reached out to take the water. Beads of sweat on her forehead shimmered in the morning light filtering through the bamboo leaves.

She brought the water to her lips, tilted her fair neck slightly, took a few sips, and then handed the water back to Tang Zheng.

Tang Zheng put the water back into his backpack and then took out a neatly folded towel, light blue with a small whale embroidered on the edge.

He handed a towel to Ruan Hongzhuang, "Wipe your sweat, Aunt Ruan."

Ruan Hongzhuang glanced at the towel, took it, and wiped the sweat from her forehead.

"Have a piece of chocolate to replenish your energy." Tang Zheng took out a piece of chocolate from his backpack at some point and handed it to her.

Ruan Hongzhuang glanced at the chocolates offered to her, then looked at his backpack. "What else did you bring?"

"I didn't bring much: water, Snickers bars, beef jerky, bread, milk, apples, an umbrella, tissues, and a bottle of sunscreen spray. I don't need it now, but the sun will come out on the mountaintop later..."

Ruan Hongzhuang glanced at him, said nothing, reached out and took the chocolate, opened the packaging, broke the chocolate in half, and handed him one half.

"I won't eat it, Aunt Ruan..."

Before he could finish speaking, Ruan Hongzhuang stuffed the chocolate into his mouth and gently traced her fingertips across his lips.

The dark chocolate melts between your lips and teeth, slightly bitter, followed by a long, sweet aftertaste.

Ruan Hongzhuang finished the remaining chocolate and continued climbing the mountain.

A light blue towel was draped around her neck, and the little whale swayed gently with her steps, resting against the hollow of her collarbone, like a real little creature swimming in a shallow bay.

With the slightly bitter and sweet taste of dark chocolate still lingering in his mouth, Tang Zheng looked at the slender and graceful figure, slung his backpack over his shoulder, and followed her.

The morning mist had not completely dissipated, and damp moisture clung to their hair and shoulders. Occasionally, a few clear birdsongs drifted from the depths of the bamboo forest. Apart from that, only the two people's shallow breathing and the sound of footsteps echoed on the stone steps.

As the mountain path ascended, the stone steps became steeper, the fog gradually thinned, and a faint glimmer of dawn appeared on the horizon.

Ruan Hongzhuang's breathing became slightly rapid, and a thin layer of sweat seeped out from her forehead. The back of her sportswear was slightly damp, outlining a slender and upright waist.

After walking for about twenty more minutes, the view ahead suddenly opened up.

They reached the top of the mountain.

The rolling mountains spread out at my feet, layers of green ranging from dark to light, stretching all the way to the horizon. The sky is clear and blue, as if washed by rain, with a few wisps of thin clouds drifting leisurely like torn cotton wool.

Ruan Hongzhuang walked to a flat stone platform at the edge of the cliff, holding onto the railing with both hands. The mountain wind blew her ponytail slightly, and a few strands of hair clung to her slightly red cheeks and her sweaty white neck.

She squinted slightly, gazing into the distance, her chest rising and falling with each deep breath. Her figure appeared somewhat hazy yet exceptionally clear in the backlight.

Tang Zheng walked over and stood beside her, watching the distant, layered mountains awaken inch by inch in the morning light.

"Aunt Ruan, do you think anyone will hear me if I shout down the mountain?"

Ruan Hongzhuang glanced at him and said, "Why don't you try and see?"

"Then I'll give it a try." Tang Zheng looked down the mountain and took a deep breath.

"Ruan Hongzhuang! I like you!"

The sound echoed through the valley, one after another.

With a slap, Tang Zheng received a blow to the head.

"What are you yelling about!"

Tang Zheng turned to look at her, his face completely innocent. "Didn't you tell me to shout that?"

She shifted her gaze down the mountain, ignoring him completely. Her fair fingers gently traced the cool, damp railing as she pondered something.

Tang Zheng turned to look at her. Sunlight fell on her delicate skin, giving it a soft glow, making her incredibly beautiful.

"Aunt Ruan, do you like me?" he asked.

Feelings can sometimes seem reckless, but in reality, we're always very careful.

And questions are often asked only after the answer has been obtained.

Ruan Hongzhuang looked at the mountains below without answering. The mountain wind blew by, and the strands of hair at her temples were ruffled again.

She raised her hand and tucked the stray strands of hair behind her ear.

The movements were very gentle.

The morning light filtered through her fingers.

She turned to look at Tang Zheng, "Turn around, I'll think about it."

Is this something we still need to consider?

Tang Zheng turned around, his back to her.

Aunt Ruan wouldn't kick him off the mountain, would she?

Time flows quietly through the mountains, the wind is gentle and the clouds are light, even your heartbeat seems to slow down.

"Have you thought it through, Aunt Ruan?"

There was no response from behind; they seemed to still be considering it.

A while later.

"Have you thought it through, Aunt Ruan?"

Still no response.

Tang Zheng turned his head to look behind him...

No one is empty.

His gaze shifted to the entrance of the road leading down the mountain, and a swaying high ponytail just disappeared from his sight.

"stop!"

On the way down the mountain...

"Aunt Ruan, are you thirsty?"

"I'm not thirsty."

"Aunt Ruan, are you hungry?"

I'm not hungry.

"Aunt Ruan, do you like me?"

Ruan Hongzhuang walked down the steps, ignoring him.

Tang Zheng followed her down one step. "Aunt Ruan, you must be tired. Let me sing you a song to help you relax."

"Everybody, let's go! Lou lou lou yo bao tou, zui li li dong shi ju, mao li mao li..."

Ruan Hongzhuang's eye twitched slightly. What kind of nonsense was this?

"Stop singing."

"Aunt Ruan, you don't like this song? Then I'll change it for you." Tang Zheng said, clearing his throat. "When you're being bullied, you always hear sailors say, 'Hurry, hurry, as the law commands, Mommy, Baby, coax...'"

Ruan Hongzhuang's forehead instantly darkened. "Shut up."

"Oh," Tang Zheng responded, took out a bottle of water from his backpack, unscrewed the cap, and handed it to her. "Have some water, Aunt Ruan."

Ruan Hongzhuang took the water, drank a couple of sips, and handed it back to Tang Zheng.

Tang Zheng took the water, pursed his slightly dry lips, and asked, "Can I drink this water, Aunt Ruan? This is the only bottle of water I brought."

Ruan Hongzhuang didn't answer. She turned around and continued walking down the stone steps, her back view still serene and indifferent.

Tang Zheng watched her leave, then brought the water to his lips and took two sips.

A mountain breeze swept by.

This water seems a little sweet.

When she returned to the courtyard, Tang Rui, with her hair all messy, had just gotten up. She yawned contentedly and looked at the two people who had entered the house.

"You two are really disciplined. You even get up early to exercise before going out."

"It's all thanks to Aunt Ruan's influence," Tang Zheng said, glancing at Ruan Hongzhuang beside him.

Ruan Hongzhuang didn't say anything and went straight back to her room.

Tang Rui watched her leave, feeling a little strange. She looked at Tang Zheng and asked, "Did you make your Aunt Ruan angry?"

Tang Zheng looked at her and said, "Sister, don't talk nonsense. I don't even dare to mess with you, so how could I dare to mess with Aunt Ruan?"

"What are you talking about? Do you think I'm easier to bully than your Aunt Ruan?" Tang Rui said with dissatisfaction.

"No, sister, you are the fiercest tigress in the world. Even that guy who can split nebulae with explosive winds is not as powerful as you."

As soon as he finished speaking, he dashed into the room.

In the morning, Ruan Hongzhuang was dragged by Tang Rui to soak in the hot spring again. She was still wearing the same swimsuit as yesterday, her long hair was loose and flowing, and her skin was so white that it was almost dazzling.

Tang Zheng also changed into his swimming trunks, preparing to go to the nearby pool to improve his swimming skills. It's always good to have more skills; learning new things is always a gain.

"Why is there a bruise here?" Tang Rui asked, pointing to Tang Zheng's right side abdomen.

Tang Zheng glanced down at it. "Oh, this," he said casually, touching the light blue patch on his side. "I accidentally bumped into the corner of the cabinet last night in my room."

He glanced at Ruan Hongzhuang standing beside him, her long, snow-white legs slowly sinking into the hot spring water.

Tang Rui glanced at him sideways, "You're always so reckless. Be more careful next time."

"Okay, sis. You go soak in the hot springs, I'm going swimming."

"Swimming? When did you learn to swim?"

"Aunt Ruan taught me yesterday, let me show you, sis." Tang Zheng said, walking to the edge of the pool and jumping in with a splash.

The next second, Tang Zheng began to struggle.

"Pfft~" Tang Rui burst out laughing. "Is that swimming? You're not even as good as a dog paddle."

Tang Zheng stopped demonstrating the movements and looked at Tang Rui, saying, "There's nothing I can do, Aunt Ruan taught me all this yesterday."

He looked at Ruan Hongzhuang, who was soaking in the hot spring, and asked, "Aunt Ruan, could you teach me again later?"

Ruan Hongzhuang glanced at him, "Let your sister teach you."

Tang Zheng looked at Tang Rui and shook his head. "No, I'm afraid she might mislead young people."

The conflict has begun again.